Suppository



Dec. 3, 1929. w. L. scr-IAAF SUPPOSITORY Filed April 12, 1928 anw/Mio@Mz'ZZZ'aWZ. 5cl/W Patented Dec. 3, 1929 P'TENT @FFME WILLIAM L. SCHAAF,0F MOUNT VERNON, YORK SUPPOSITORY Application filed April 12,

This invention relates to improvements in suppositories for thetreatment of hemorrhoids.

One object of the invention is to provide a suppository by means ofwhich the medicament carried thereby will be held directly in contactwith the hemorrhoids or diseased membranes.

Another object is to provide a suppository having an improved means forholding the medicament whereby the same will be slowly applied to thediseased membranes for a long period of time during which thesuppository is held in position.

With the foregoing in view the invention resides in the novel subjectmatter hereinafter described and claimed the description beingsupplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Figure l is a sectional view of a portion of the parts surrounding therectum showing the application of the suppository.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suppository.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the suppository with parts broken awayand in section.

In the drawing the numeral 5 denotes an inert hollow head or anchoringmember which is preferably, substantially cone shaped and may be formedof wood or any suitable nonsoluble material but which is preferablyformed of paraflin. The body of the suppository is in the form of afabric tube 6, the upper' end of which is inserted into the lower openend of the head and rmly secured thereto in any suitable manner. Thenthe head is formed of parafin the end of the tube may be embedded in theend of the head when the latter is molded. The cavity 7 in the headabove the end of the fabric tube tapers toward the outer end of the headand in said outer end and communicating with the cavity is a smalldischarge opening 8 the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

The tube 6 and the cavity 7 in the hollow head are to contain the chargeof medicament. This charge is in the form of a cylindrical shapedplastic mass which is inserted into the tube and hollow head, and ispre- 1228. Serial No. 269,416,

vented from escaping from the outer end of the tubeby an inert' plug 9which is also preferably, formed ofA paraffin and inserted into the endof the, tubel and against'the medicated mass, as shown. The outer orfree end 10 of the tube extends some distance beyondthe plug andprovides a handle, by which if de.- sired the suppositorymayv beremoved. y

The head 5 and the tube are provided with s a thin coating 1l offatty orgreasy substance, preferably a composition of beeswax and cocoa butterwhtch forms a protective covering for thesuppository and also yalubricant for facilitating the insertion of the suppository intontherectuin. This coating also prevents irritation of the membrane orparts to which the suppository is appliedand is such lthat itwilllquickly inelt'at the temperature of the human body. The coatingalso serves to stiifen the body ofthe supposi`- tory and to seal itspores against escape of the medicament, and hence facilitates thehandling and insertion of the suppOSitory.

The suppository is applied by introducing the same into the rectum untilthe head 5 passes the sphincter muscle and entersthe colon which willposition the lmedicated tubular portioncr body of thefsuppository in thecanal in which hemorrhoidal conditions usually exist. When in thisposition the outer free end of the fabric tube projects from the rectumas shown in Fig. l', while the head 5 prevents thesuppository fromslipping out.

The heat from the parts surrounding the inserted suppository melts thecoating ll of the tube and thereby opens the poresof said tube. andsoftensfthe medicated mass permitting the same to ooze through thefabric of the tubeI and onto the hemorrhoids or diseased membranes. Thepressure of the sphincter muscle also forces some of the medicament outthrough the opening 8 in the head 5 for treatment of parts, which arevery often diseased by hemorrhoidal conditions. The primary purpose,however, of the opening S is to permit the escape of some of themedicated mass inwardly rather than outwardly should the muscle undulycontract the tubular fabric body.

The remains of the suppository, may be removed by means of the handle orprojecting end of the tube or will be automatically removed by the nextevacuation or movement of the bowels. It will also be seen that theconstruction of the suppository is such that it may readily be appliedwithout soiling the hand or clothing, and it is not necessary to touchthe rectum with the fingers.

I claim:

l. A suppository comprising a substantially cone-shaped hollow head openat its inner end and having in its outer end a discharge port, the innerwalls of said hollow head being tapered from said inner end toward saiddischarge port, a fabric tube having one end secured in the inner openend of said head and containing a medicament and a plug in the free endof said tube and against the medicament therein.

2. In a suppository, an insoluble porous flexible tube having a head atone end, means between the ends of said tube closing the latter, and amedicament in the tube between said head and said closing means andadapted to permeate to the exterior of the tube, the free end of thetube beyond said closing means con stituting a withdrawal handle.

3. In a suppository, a porous insoluble tube of Hexible nature, a headon one end of said 1- tube provided with a medicament escape passage,the other end of the tube being closed, and a medicament conlined insaid tube, said medicament being adapted to permeate to the exterior ofthe tube and adapted under excessive external pressure to dischargethrough said passage of the head.

4L. A structure as speciied in claim 3; together with a solublelubricating coating closing the pores of said tube and also closing saidpassage.

5. A suppository comprising a porous fabric tube, a bulbous inert headin which one end of the tube is embedded and secured, a medicament inthe tube adapted to permeate to the exterior thereof, a plug in the tubeto retain the medicament, said plug being spaced from the outer end ofthe tube leaving said end free to act as a withdrawal handle, and asoluble stiiening and lubricating coating on the tube and head, saidcoating sealing the pores of said tube.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

VILLIAM L. SCHAAF.

